Do I need chemically induced menopause injection if I have already started menopause naturally?

[LawsTra]

I just wanted to ask Do I need chemically induced menopause injection if I have already started menopause naturally? I'm supposed to have injection and start HRT soon. Seems stupid but i would like to know other opinions. I have stage 4 endo and my uterus and ovaries are stuck to my bowel and this treatment has been suggested to ease extreme lower back pain between my hips I get every time before, during and after I have a bowel movement . Also what impact will this have on my thyroid medication

[atealdeer]

When you say you've started menopause naturally, I'm guessing you mean you're peri-menopausal. That stage can last years before you actually reach menopause, which means you've had no periods for a year as you've stopped producing the necessary hormones for a menstrual cycle. The medical menopause is different, you're plunged into it very quickly and everything stops. If it works for you, you normally have a very painful first month, much less over the next one or two and then nothing. That's the hope!

Do you know which injection they intend to use? Zoladex, Prostap and Decapeptyl are commonly talked about here. If you can remember the name, you could search for the Patient Information Leaflet for it on medicines.org.uk You should be able to find out if it's known to affect the thyroid/interact with thyroid medication there. I am diabetic and my injection, Decapeptyl, can cause an increase in blood glucose, which I did know going in because I had read the leaflet. I pointed it out to the gynaecologist and they said they'd request extra monitoring and I also immediately told my diabetes nurse who adjusted my medication in anticipation of an increase and is happy to continue adjusting if the Decapeptyl is working for me. I don't know if this would be possible with thyroid medication if it does turn out to affect your thyroid function. If you read the leaflet and find it can interact then try to talk to the person who normally manages your treatment before you begin the injection to get an idea of how to proceed.

Obviously you might find it's contraindicated for your meds and out of the question for you, but if that's not the case then it's all about weighing up to pros and cons. I originally felt like there were too many cons, but my symptoms were got so bad and I was in so much pain that I decided to try it and it has been life changing for me in a positive way! Being on low dose HRT alongside it meant I've dodged many of the signs of menopause, but I am waiting for the results of my DEXA scan to see if I'm allowed to continue the injections.

I hope this has been a little bit helpful!

[LawsTra in reply to atealdeer]

Hi, I'm am menopausal but not had another blood test to check. I have been prescribed decapeptyl 3mg. No idea why , and Tibolone HRT 2.5 mg. All this to because my Stage 4 endo is now causing a lot of bowel issues and pain. They are waiting until I have my laparoscopy to remove my gallbladder to determine what damage has been done to my bowel as they cant see enough on scans. I have already been waiting 26 months for this operation. What is worse is that the private consultant I saw is also my NHS consultant and does not listen. have to keep going and hope this sorts itself out eventually

[atealdeer in reply to LawsTra]

You say your private consultant is also your NHS consultant and doesn't listen, but are they any good at explaining their ideas? Could you ask them why they want to, maybe emphasising you believe you've reached menopause and would like to have blood tests before you'd consider this? If you're not seeing them for a while, their medical secretary might pass on the query for them. I find the med sec for mine has been really helpful when I've had some issues, but she could be an outlier.

I can only guess that the injection perhaps reduces estrogen (which feeds the endo) more than natural menopause, and with the add back from HRT they have more control over the amount of estrogen in your system. But that's a guess.

I am really so sorry that you're in so much pain and struggling with the bowel issues. I really hope you are not waiting much longer for your next laparoscopy. Can I ask, have you asked to be put on a cancellation list? My job meant that I was a good candidate to say yes to any surgery dates offered, was added to the cancellation list by a gynae and then the medical secretary offered me a date soon after. It doesn't necessarily mean a couple of days notice. I was first offered one with about five weeks notice which got cancelled on their end, but finally had one which I had about ten days notice of. It sped things up considerably, as far as I can tell.

Wishing you the best x

[nanomyous]

Hi! I was looking through past posts and you've asked exactly the question I was going to. Did you go on to have the menopause injection and if so did it help your symptoms?